BY: The Adventures of Ed & Serenity
There are trips that are vacations, and then there are trips that become adventures.
Our Carnival Luminosa Alaska cruise from San Francisco was definitely an adventure.
For us, the adventure actually started several days before we ever stepped aboard the ship. We decided that if we were going to travel all the way to San Francisco for our Alaska cruise, we weren’t going to simply fly in, board the ship and leave.
Instead, we turned the cruise into a much bigger adventure.
We spent several days exploring San Francisco and the surrounding area, visited some incredible attractions, ate some unforgettable food, and even made our way down to San Jose to see the fascinating Winchester Mystery House.
And, of course, we had to track down a few famous movie and television locations along the way.
Then came the cruise itself.
From San Francisco, we headed north toward Alaska aboard Carnival Luminosa, visiting Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan and Prince Rupert, British Columbia, along with one of the absolute highlights of the entire trip: scenic cruising through Endicott Arm to Dawes Glacier.
But perhaps our favorite shore adventure was one that got us away from the towns and deep into the wilderness.
Our hike to Reid Falls and Dewey Lake was spectacular.
This is the story of our adventure.
Before the Cruise: Don’t Just Fly Into San Francisco and Leave
One of the best pieces of advice we can give anyone considering this cruise is simple:
Plan a few days in San Francisco before your cruise.
San Francisco is such a cool city that it deserves to be part of the vacation rather than simply the place where you catch your ship.
We had several things on our list, and we quickly discovered that we could have stayed even longer.
There is so much to see and do.
And because our cruise was departing from San Francisco, it gave us the perfect excuse to explore.
San Francisco: A Destination All by Itself
San Francisco is one of those cities where you can turn a corner and suddenly find yourself looking at something you’ve seen in photographs or on television for years.
The hills.
The cable cars.
The bay.
The Golden Gate Bridge.
The neighborhoods.
The waterfront.
And, of course, the food.
We loved exploring the city, and we had a lot of fun tracking down some of its famous landmarks and pop-culture locations.
We Found the Full House House!
If you’re a fan of the classic television show Full House, you probably recognize one particular San Francisco house immediately.
We made a point of seeing the famous Full House house.
It was one of those fun little stops that doesn’t take long but makes for a great vacation memory.
There’s something pretty cool about standing in front of a house you’ve seen countless times on television and realizing you’re actually there.
San Francisco has so many iconic locations that you can turn sightseeing into a scavenger hunt.
And we definitely got into that spirit.
And Yes, We Found the Mrs. Doubtfire House Too
We also tracked down the famous house from Mrs. Doubtfire.
Another movie location checked off the list!
It was fun seeing these recognizable San Francisco homes in person and realizing how many movies and television shows have used this city as a backdrop.
For us, these weren’t necessarily the biggest attractions of the trip, but they were exactly the kind of little adventures that made exploring San Francisco so much fun.
Driving Lombard Street
And then there was Lombard Street.
Of course we had to drive the iconic crooked section!
That famous stretch of road is every bit as winding as you expect it to be.
The tight turns, steep hill and beautiful surroundings make it one of those uniquely San Francisco experiences.
Driving down it felt like one of those moments where you think, Yep, we’re definitely in San Francisco now.
And naturally, we had to take pictures.
Alcatraz
One of the things we definitely wanted to experience was Alcatraz.
There is something fascinating about seeing the island in person after hearing its history for so many years.
From the boat, you get that incredible view back toward San Francisco, but once you arrive on the island, the experience changes.
Walking through the prison and seeing the cells, corridors and buildings makes the history feel much more real.
It is one of those San Francisco attractions that we would absolutely recommend adding to your pre-cruise itinerary.
And don’t forget to look back toward the city.
The views alone are worth the trip.
Fisherman’s Wharf and Those Famous Sea Lions
Of course, no visit to San Francisco would have been complete for us without spending time around Fisherman’s Wharf.
It is touristy.
It is busy.
And we loved it!
One of the most entertaining parts of the waterfront was watching the famous sea lions.
You can hear them before you really see them.
Then you look over and there they are—barking, swimming, climbing over one another and generally putting on a show.
We could have stood there watching them for a long time.
They’re one of those wonderfully unexpected experiences that make a city visit memorable.
And Then There Was Boudin
We have to give a huge shout-out to Boudin Bakery.
Seriously.
If you like sourdough bread, put this on your San Francisco list.
We had heard about San Francisco sourdough before our trip, but tasting it fresh from Boudin was something else.
Absolutely the best sourdough bread anywhere!
The bread itself became part of our San Francisco experience.
And yes, we probably ate more of it than we needed to.
But when you’re on vacation, calories don’t count.
At least that’s what we told ourselves.
Muir Woods: One of the Highlights of Our San Francisco Adventure
One of the absolute highlights of our time around San Francisco was Muir Woods National Monument.
If you’re planning this cruise, we strongly recommend considering a visit to Muir Woods before you board the ship.
The difference between the busy streets of San Francisco and walking among those enormous redwoods is incredible.
Suddenly everything becomes quiet.
The trees seem almost impossibly tall.
You find yourself looking straight up just to see the tops.
It was peaceful, beautiful and completely different from anything else we experienced in the city.
For us, Muir Woods was one of the highlights of the entire pre-cruise portion of our trip.
And looking back, we were so glad we gave ourselves enough time in the area to experience it.
Winchester Mystery House in San Jose
We also headed south to San Jose to visit another fascinating attraction: the Winchester Mystery House.
This place is unlike anything else.
The house is famous for its unusual architecture and the stories surrounding its construction.
Stairs that seem to lead nowhere, doors that open into walls, strange architectural details and a history that has fascinated visitors for generations make it a truly unique stop.
It was another reminder that one of the best things about traveling is finding those places that are difficult to describe until you’ve actually seen them.
San Francisco may have been our cruise departure point, but our pre-cruise adventure extended well beyond the city itself.
Embarkation Day: Carnival Luminosa
Eventually, it was time to board Carnival Luminosa.
After all our adventures around California, we were ready to settle in and start the Alaska portion of our journey.
And what a way to begin.
Leaving San Francisco on a cruise ship is an experience in itself.
Watching the skyline disappear behind us and sailing toward the Golden Gate Bridge was one of those moments where you realize:
We’re really going to Alaska!
Carnival Luminosa is a 92,720-gross-ton ship measuring 964 feet long. Carnival lists the ship’s normal guest capacity at 2,260 passengers based on double occupancy, with a maximum capacity of 2,826 and approximately 926 crew members.
But numbers don’t really tell you what it feels like to be on board.
For us, Luminosa became home for the next part of our adventure.
Sailing Under the Golden Gate Bridge
We have cruised before, but there is something special about departing from San Francisco.
The Golden Gate Bridge is instantly recognizable.
As the ship approached the bridge, people gathered outside and along the railings to watch.
We were right there with them.
The ship slipped beneath the bridge, and we began our journey north.
It was the perfect beginning to our Alaska adventure.
The Pacific Days
The first couple of days were sea days as we traveled north.
At first, it felt strange to be heading toward Alaska while seeing nothing but ocean.
But those sea days gave us time to settle into cruise life.
We explored the ship, enjoyed meals, watched the scenery and simply relaxed.
After the busy days in San Francisco, it was actually nice to slow down.
We knew that once we reached Alaska, the pace would pick up again.
And it did.
Juneau: Mendenhall Glacier and a Little Piece of Middle-earth
Our first Alaska stop was Juneau.
Juneau is one of those places where you immediately understand that you’re somewhere completely different.
Mountains surround the city.
Water stretches in every direction.
And the wilderness seems to begin almost immediately outside town.
Of course, one of the big things we wanted to see was Mendenhall Glacier.
And yes, the glacier was cool.
Really cool.
Sorry—we had to make the pun.
Seeing the glacier in person was impressive. The size, the ice and the surrounding mountains make it one of those Alaska sights that photographs simply don’t capture properly.
But here’s the surprise.
As beautiful as the glacier was, our favorite part of the Mendenhall area wasn’t actually the glacier.
It was the marshland just south of it.
We honestly felt like we had stepped into a scene from The Hobbit.
The landscape was unbelievably green and lush.
The vegetation seemed almost impossibly vibrant, with the mountains and wilderness surrounding us.
Words really don’t do it justice.
We stood there taking it all in and thinking, How is this real?
That’s one of the things we loved about Alaska.
You can arrive expecting one spectacular view, and then something completely unexpected ends up stealing the show.
For us, that was the marshland.
Mendenhall Glacier was absolutely worth seeing, but the lush landscape surrounding it was one of those unexpected highlights that we’ll remember for a long time.
Skagway: Reid Falls and Dewey Lake
Then came Skagway.
Skagway is famous for its Gold Rush history, but our biggest adventure here involved putting on our hiking shoes and heading into the mountains.
Our hike to Reid Falls and Dewey Lake was spectacular.
And we want to emphasize something for anyone considering doing this hike:
This is not an easy stroll.
The Reid Falls and Dewey Lake hike is moderate to advanced, with steep climbs and uneven trails.
We hiked approximately 12 miles in total that day, so by the time we were finished, we definitely knew we’d been hiking!
But every mile was worth it.
The scenery was incredible.
The trail took us through beautiful Alaska wilderness, with towering trees, mountain scenery and the sounds of rushing water surrounding us.
Then we reached Reid Falls.
The waterfall was gorgeous.
But again, it wasn’t just about the destination.
It was the entire journey.
The Lower Reservoir: A Great Option for a Shorter Hike
One thing we especially want to mention is the lower reservoir.
It was beautiful.
And if you would like to experience some of this scenery but don’t want to tackle the entire five-mile route, the lower reservoir provides a much shorter hiking option.
This is something we think is important because not everyone wants—or is able—to take on a longer, steep mountain hike.
You can still get out there, see beautiful scenery and enjoy the wilderness without committing to the full distance.
But if you’re planning to do the full Reid Falls and Dewey Lake hike, be prepared.
Bring water.
Bring a snack.
Wear quality footwear.
We can’t stress that last one enough.
The trails are uneven, and the steep sections require a good pair of hiking shoes or boots.
Take your time.
Watch your footing.
And enjoy the scenery.
For us, this was one of the most memorable days of the entire cruise.
Skagway: The Gold Rush Lives On
After the hiking adventure, we also had time to appreciate Skagway itself.
The town’s Gold Rush history is everywhere.
The historic buildings, wooden sidewalks and mountain backdrop make it feel like a place frozen between two eras.
And the mountains surrounding Skagway are spectacular.
The White Pass & Yukon Route is another famous attraction, following a historic route associated with the Klondike Gold Rush.
Skagway is small, but during cruise season it becomes one of Alaska’s busiest destinations.
And once you’ve seen it surrounded by those mountains, it’s easy to understand why.
Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier
Then came one of the days we had been waiting for.
Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier.
There isn’t a traditional port here.
There doesn’t need to be.
The scenery is the attraction.
As Carnival Luminosa entered Endicott Arm, the landscape changed dramatically.
The water narrowed.
The mountains became taller.
Waterfalls appeared along the cliffs.
Ice began appearing in the water.
And eventually we reached Dawes Glacier.
This is what we came to Alaska to see.
The glacier was enormous.
The scale is difficult to capture in photographs because there is simply nothing nearby to provide a sense of size.
The ship slowed as we approached, giving everyone the opportunity to take in the view.
We spent a lot of time outside.
This is one of those days when you want to have your camera ready—but you also need to remember to put the camera down occasionally.
Sometimes you just need to look.
Ketchikan: Creek Street, Rainforest and Water
Our next stop was Ketchikan.
Ketchikan is surrounded by the Tongass National Forest and is known for its rainforest environment, waterways, wildlife and Indigenous culture.
One of the places we made sure to see was Creek Street.
Creek Street is one of Ketchikan’s most recognizable historic areas, and walking along it gives you a great sense of the town’s colorful waterfront history.
The boardwalk, historic buildings and creek running through the area make it a fun place to explore.
And, of course, the surrounding scenery is beautiful.
Ketchikan felt different from Juneau and Skagway.
That’s one of the things we loved about this cruise.
Every port had its own personality.
Juneau felt like a capital city surrounded by wilderness.
Skagway felt like the Gold Rush.
Ketchikan felt like a coastal rainforest town.
We enjoyed walking around, taking in the scenery and experiencing another side of Southeast Alaska.
Prince Rupert, British Columbia: A Quieter Port
After Ketchikan, we crossed into Canada and arrived in Prince Rupert, British Columbia.
Now, we’re going to be honest about Prince Rupert.
There isn’t a ton to do there compared with some of the other cruise ports.
If you’re looking for a huge tourist district packed with attractions, shopping and cruise excursions, Prince Rupert isn’t that.
But you know what?
We actually liked that.
After busy cruise ports and tourist-heavy areas, it was refreshing to visit somewhere that didn’t feel completely overwhelmed by tourism.
Prince Rupert gave us a chance to slow down and experience a different side of the North Coast.
The city is surrounded by islands, mountains and coastal rainforest, and it has a strong connection to the sea and the Indigenous cultures of the region.
The Grizzly Bear Sanctuary
One of the more interesting experiences available around Prince Rupert is the grizzly bear sanctuary.
The surrounding region provides important habitat for grizzly bears, and excursions into the wilderness offer an opportunity to learn about and potentially see these incredible animals in their natural environment.
For wildlife lovers, this is one of the attractions that can make Prince Rupert worthwhile.
It isn’t necessarily about checking off a long list of tourist attractions.
It’s about getting out into the environment and experiencing the wilderness.
The Cannery
Another interesting part of the Prince Rupert experience is the area’s fishing and canning history.
The cannery is an important reminder of how much the communities of the North Coast have historically depended on fishing and the sea.
After spending days visiting places built around tourism, it was interesting to see an attraction connected to the working history of the region.
For us, Prince Rupert wasn’t necessarily the most action-packed stop of the cruise.
But it didn’t need to be.
Sometimes a quieter day is exactly what you need.
And we appreciated not being in an overly touristy area.
The Numbers Behind Our Alaska Adventure
One thing we love about traveling is learning the statistics behind the places we visit.
Sometimes the numbers make you appreciate the destination even more. Destination 2025 Cruise Statistics Population / Other Facts San Francisco About 369,000 cruise passengers; 90 cruise calls Major California cruise gateway Juneau About 1.719 million cruise passenger arrivals Roughly 32,000 residents; approximately 2,704 sq. miles of land Skagway About 1.359 million cruise passenger arrivals; 525 scheduled visits Roughly 1,100 residents Endicott Arm Scenic cruising Approximately 30-mile fjord Dawes Glacier Scenic glacier destination Glacier extends roughly 20 miles Ketchikan About 1.470 million passengers; 648 stops Roughly 7,900 residents Prince Rupert About 69,600 cruise passengers; 42 calls Approximately 14,000 residents
And when you look at those numbers, one thing really jumps out.
Some of these Alaska communities are incredibly small.
Yet during cruise season, hundreds of thousands—or even more than a million—passengers visit them.
That’s an amazing contrast.
Why We Loved Starting in San Francisco
Looking back, one of the best decisions we made was giving ourselves extra time in San Francisco before the cruise.
If you’re considering doing this itinerary, don’t rush straight to the ship.
Give yourself at least a few days.
Explore the city.
Track down the Full House house.
See the Mrs. Doubtfire house.
Drive Lombard Street.
Visit Alcatraz.
Walk around Fisherman’s Wharf.
Watch the sea lions.
Eat sourdough from Boudin.
Drive out to Muir Woods.
And if you have time, head down toward San Jose and visit the Winchester Mystery House.
We found that the pre-cruise portion of our trip became an adventure of its own.
Then, when we finally boarded Carnival Luminosa, we already had several days of memories behind us.
Our Favorite Memories
When we think back on this trip, it’s difficult to choose just one favorite moment.
Was it sailing beneath the Golden Gate Bridge?
Was it walking among the giant redwoods at Muir Woods?
Was it standing at Alcatraz looking back toward San Francisco?
Was it finding the Full House and Mrs. Doubtfire houses?
Was it driving down Lombard Street?
Was it watching the sea lions at Fisherman’s Wharf?
Was it biting into that incredible Boudin sourdough?
Was it standing in the lush Mendenhall marshland that looked like something straight out of The Hobbit?
Was it hiking to Reid Falls and Dewey Lake?
Was it seeing Dawes Glacier?
Was it exploring Creek Street in Ketchikan?
Or was it simply enjoying the quieter atmosphere of Prince Rupert?
Honestly, we don’t think we can choose.
That’s what made this trip so special.
It wasn’t one experience.
It was all of them together.
Our Advice for Planning This Cruise
If you’re thinking about taking the Carnival Luminosa Alaska cruise from San Francisco, here are a few things we’d recommend based on our experience.
Give San Francisco several days
Don’t treat San Francisco as merely your embarkation port.
There is too much to see.
Make your own San Francisco movie tour
Track down the Full House and Mrs. Doubtfire houses and drive the iconic Lombard Street.
It’s a fun way to see neighborhoods you might otherwise miss.
Visit Muir Woods
This was one of our highlights.
The redwoods are incredible, and it provides a wonderful contrast to the city.
Visit Alcatraz
It’s fascinating and offers great views back toward San Francisco.
Spend time at Fisherman’s Wharf
And definitely go see the sea lions.
They’re entertaining and completely free to watch.
Eat the sourdough
Seriously.
Boudin sourdough is a must for us.
Don’t underestimate the Reid Falls and Dewey Lake hike
This is a moderate-to-advanced hike with steep climbs and uneven terrain.
If you do the entire hike, be prepared for approximately five miles of trail and potentially much more walking depending on your route and activities. We covered about 12 miles that day in total.
Bring:
- Plenty of water
- A snack
- Quality hiking footwear
- Layers
- Time to enjoy the scenery
And remember that the lower reservoir provides a beautiful, much shorter option if you don’t want to tackle the entire hike.
Get outside in Alaska
The best memories aren’t necessarily made downtown.
Our hike to Reid Falls and Dewey Lake was one of the experiences we’ll remember most.
Don’t miss the glacier day
When Luminosa enters Endicott Arm, find a good viewing spot and stay outside as much as you can.
Bring binoculars
Wildlife and distant scenery are much easier to appreciate with a good pair.
Don’t overlook Prince Rupert
If you’re expecting another giant tourist destination, you may be disappointed.
But if you’re looking for a quieter port and a chance to experience a less touristy side of the region, we enjoyed it.
Consider the grizzly bear sanctuary or the cannery, and take some time simply to enjoy the North Coast atmosphere.
Final Thoughts From Ed and Serenity
Our Carnival Luminosa Alaska cruise was everything we hoped it would be—and then some.
What we’ll remember most aren’t just the places we visited, but the moments along the way: the unexpected discoveries, the challenging hikes, the incredible scenery, the great food, and those times when we simply stopped and said, “Wow.”
The Reid Falls and Dewey Lake hike especially reminded us why we love to travel. Sometimes the best experiences require a little effort, a good pair of shoes and a willingness to see where the trail takes you.
And that’s what Adventures of Ed and Serenity is all about—getting out there, exploring, laughing, trying new things and making memories together.
We’re already wondering…
Where will our next adventure take us?
— Ed & Serenity
Adventures of Ed and Serenity
Leave a Reply